HELLO (:

It's been…a freaking YEAR since I've uploaded any chapters and I am So sorry ):

I guess I was so busy with school that it just slipped my mind… over and over again。。

But I'm striving to finish this story by the end of this summer!

THANK YOU for reading 3

That Fair Maiden

Chapter 10

Even though it's been only about a week since Pucca broke up with Garu, it definitely felt like a lifetime ago. How could I be that stupid? Thought Pucca. Looking at the purple clock on her bedroom wall made her realized it was well past noon and that she should just drag her lazy bum out of bed for lunch.

Downstairs, the Goh-Rong had already filled up! Plus, there were numeroud people waiting outside the restaurant. Pucca rubbed her eyes and slinked downstairs into the kitchen to find Uncle Dumpling.

"Hey, Pucca! Finally woke up, eh?" Asked Dada with a smirk. Pucca stifled a yawn and asked, "Morning, D. You know where Uncle Dumpling is?"

"Yep. He's out making some deliveries 'cause you were still asleep."

"Really? Man, now I feel terrible. I'll have to thank him when he gets back," Pucca said, tapping her chin. Dada placed the pile of dirty dishes in the barrel of soapy water, this time managing to break only two dishes, and turned towards Pucca.

"Don't worry about it! He knows about…He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named," said Dada, winking. Pucca burst out laughing. "What? Voldemort? What does he have to do with this?" She asked sarcastically, still laughing. Dada smiled from ear to ear. "Uncle D practically wants to murder Garu for what he did!" He wipe d his hands on a towel and slung it over his shoulder. "Well, remind me to thank him, okay?" Pucca asked.

"Thank who?" Asked a deep male voice. Pucca and Dada whirled around and saw uncle Dumpling standing there with a helmet tucked under his arm. "Uncle Dumpling! Thanks for filling in for me! I am so sorry for not waking up earlier! I forgot about deliveries…"Pucca explained sheepishly. Uncle Dumpling chuckled and ruffed her hair, "it's alright, kiddo. After what happened with what's-his-face, I don't expect you to be running all over the village taking noodle calls."

Pucca kissed his cheek and said," Thanks, again! I'm going to go get ready to go to the mall with Ching." And with that, she raced upstairs to freshen up.

"Wait, Pucca! You forgot…lunch," called Dada holding a container of noodles.

After showering, Pucca finally realized hat she's on the market! She can flirt and flounce with boys now. She smiled at the thought and pampered herself a little bit extra today. After all, the mall is a good place to meet enchanting boys. Pucca settled for a slim-fitting red v-neck with a ruffle-y white skirt and tan ankle boots.

Pucca took a bus to the mall to meet up with Ching. She waited by Jelly&Jam Sweeties and soon spotted Ching, who was now starting towards her. "Hey Ching! Where to first?" Pucca asked cheerfully.

"Well well well, someone seems in an uplifted mood today!" Said Ching grinning. "Let's go to Jenny's Closet! I hear they're having a huge sale this week, anyway."

"Okay! Let's go!"

Ching and Pucca were practically whirlwinds in the store! From the entrance of the store to the back, Pucca picked up six shirts, three skirts, seven pairs of jeans, a jacket, four pairs of shoes and two cardigans to try on. Ching snatched up for shirts, six pairs of pants, two jackets, four pairs of leggings and five tank tops. The good thing about Jenny's Closet is they don't have a change room limit!

The two girls brought their clothing selections to the stalls and began frantically giving each article of clothing a try. "I know this is a bad time to ask, but what the heck do I o about Garu? He's obviously going to end up with Ellie," said Pucca from her stall, pulling on a pair of skinny jeans. "Her name is Estelle," Said Ching.

"Yeah, I don't care. Anyways, he totally likes her and I'm still in love with him. Why did I ever introduce them to each other?"

Pucca and Ching came out of their stalls and faced each other in their outfits. "Love those boots but the shirt makes you look lumpy," said Pucca. Ching said, "I like that jacket on you and those jeans are nice! But, please, lose the shoes!"

Both of them went back into their stalls.

"You'll have to be hopeful," started Ching, from her stall, "I know Estelle seems intimidating as hell but you'll just have to be strong. I'm sure Garu still has feelings for you! It doesn't matter if she likes him or not; it just matters if he feels the same way."

"I guess you're right. She's just so rebellious and that's what pisses me off. She thinks she's so bad-ass when really; she's just a coward inside," said Pucca, more confidently, stepping out of her change room. Ching stepped as well and they sorted out what they were purchasing and what they were leaving behind. Pucca ended up with two pairs of jeans, a skirt, and a cardigan. Ching decided on a pair of boots, leggings and a shirt. They exited the store after paying at the register counter.

What Pucca and Ching didn't know was that a woman was in the change room right next to Ching. Estelle stepped out of the stall quietly to check if the coast was clear. "She hates me…that much?" muttered Estelle to herself. She threw the clothes she demoed onto the counter and practically ran out of the store.